Clean Beaches Coalition sets sail in St Kilda

In what could be a world first, a coalition of community groups and government agencies dedicated to eliminating litter on Port Phillip beaches was formed yesterday. The coalition is planning immediate action to comprehensively clean up all beaches in the City of Port Phillip on Clean Up Australia Day (March 6).

At a forum convened by Port Phillip EcoCentre, Heidi Taylor of Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care spoke of the need for active local partnerships to tackle the ever growing problem of plastic trash in waterways and oceans. Representatives of the 16 organisations present endorsed this concept and set about planning united clean up action. A key feature is that all litter collected will be recorded in order to identify the worst offenders.

We hope our united action on Clean Up Australia Day will demonstrate the benefits of working together rather than in isolation. I’d be pleased to talk to others around the Bay who want to form a similar coalition in their area. Volunteers for the clean up day are encouraged to register at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/